From 8th to 13th January, the Coordination for the Holy Land, including the bishops representing the Episcopal Conferences of North America, Europe and Scandinavia met in Jerusalem for the twelfth year running to feel the pulse of the situation in the country, meet local players and measure the needs and ways of action so that the Universal Church is more aligned with and adapted to the Church of the Holy Land, mother of the Churches and always subject to history and difficulties of all types that are found in the Middle East.
About a dozen speeches were delivered during the meetings, most of which were held in the General Curia of the Custody of the Holy Land in St. Saviour.
The theme chosen for the Synod of the Middle East, “The community of believers was of one heart and mind” (Acts 4, 32), oriented the rich and diversified contents. The bishops congratulated Father Felet, Secretary of the Conference of the Ordinaries of the Holy Land on the quality of the organization and the high standard of the speakers. In particular they appreciated having seen outlined a panorama of the Church of the Holy Land without dales spiritualism or romanticism, but facing up to reality with the energy necessary to overcome the difficulties if and where they arise.
Throughout the week, the challenges put to the Church of the Holy Land were revealed to the bishops in a new light. Challenges of ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue. Challenges of educations in schools internally and externally (what do they say about Christianity in Israeli and non-Christian Palestinian schools?), challenges to religious life in a local Church with universal dimensions and challenges in welcoming pilgrims and pilgrimages.
“It is impressive to see the challenges that the Church of the Holy Land has to face in such a small area. A church that has to reconcile with the diversity of languages, cultures, rites, political regimes, geographical areas and their social realities, and in spite of all this remain One,” commented Monsignor Michel Dubost, Bishop of Evry (France).
The press release (online on the site of the Patriarchate www.lpj.org) was the opportunity to address a message of support both to those who work in all the fields where the Church is committed and to the authorities so that they can find paths of peace and justice for ever.
“The most depressing thing in this country is to see on the road to Bethlehem a sign saying that entry is forbidden to Israeli citizens. This is the most terrible thing I know because it puts a brake on the solution that could bring people together. Let’s forget about politics and intellectuals, let’s allow people to have the opportunity to meet,” said Mons. William Kenney, representative of the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales.
The Apostolic Nuncio, who came to say goodbye to the bishops. Encouraged them to continue their work and the dates for the next session have already been fixed.
Mab
About a dozen speeches were delivered during the meetings, most of which were held in the General Curia of the Custody of the Holy Land in St. Saviour.
The theme chosen for the Synod of the Middle East, “The community of believers was of one heart and mind” (Acts 4, 32), oriented the rich and diversified contents. The bishops congratulated Father Felet, Secretary of the Conference of the Ordinaries of the Holy Land on the quality of the organization and the high standard of the speakers. In particular they appreciated having seen outlined a panorama of the Church of the Holy Land without dales spiritualism or romanticism, but facing up to reality with the energy necessary to overcome the difficulties if and where they arise.
Throughout the week, the challenges put to the Church of the Holy Land were revealed to the bishops in a new light. Challenges of ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue. Challenges of educations in schools internally and externally (what do they say about Christianity in Israeli and non-Christian Palestinian schools?), challenges to religious life in a local Church with universal dimensions and challenges in welcoming pilgrims and pilgrimages.
“It is impressive to see the challenges that the Church of the Holy Land has to face in such a small area. A church that has to reconcile with the diversity of languages, cultures, rites, political regimes, geographical areas and their social realities, and in spite of all this remain One,” commented Monsignor Michel Dubost, Bishop of Evry (France).
The press release (online on the site of the Patriarchate www.lpj.org) was the opportunity to address a message of support both to those who work in all the fields where the Church is committed and to the authorities so that they can find paths of peace and justice for ever.
“The most depressing thing in this country is to see on the road to Bethlehem a sign saying that entry is forbidden to Israeli citizens. This is the most terrible thing I know because it puts a brake on the solution that could bring people together. Let’s forget about politics and intellectuals, let’s allow people to have the opportunity to meet,” said Mons. William Kenney, representative of the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales.
The Apostolic Nuncio, who came to say goodbye to the bishops. Encouraged them to continue their work and the dates for the next session have already been fixed.
Mab